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Rumor: Tesla is planning a redesign of the Model S for Spring 2016

Since the reveal of the Model X in September, there’s been a persisting rumor that Tesla will give the Model S a “facelift” in order for it to have the same front-end as the Model X – as seen on the rendering above. We normally don’t cover rumors with little to no source, but this one makes some sense and has been persisting long enough to be worth mentioning.

The Model X’s front-end takes some getting used to, but I personally warmed up to it. It offers a clean and simple look, which doesn’t catch the eye and therefore accentuate the rest of the vehicle.

Considering the redesign could be a “light” one and that the Model S will have been in production for almost 4 years in the spring of 2016, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see Tesla going forward with it. The timing would also coincide with the expected integration of second generation Autopilot hardware, which could potentially be facilitated by a redesign.

The rumor first surfaced after someone reported on the Tesla Motors Club (but the post apparently has since been deleted) that a Tesla service advisor told him the redesign was coming for around or after the unveiling of the Model 3, which is expected for the end of March 2016.

Again, the rumor is unsubstantiated at the moment, but it’s still an interesting exercise to think about what could be included in a redesign, if it were to occur. Aside from the obvious Model X front-end, what else do you think Tesla could redesign and/or borrow from the X?

Featured image: A Model S with the Model X’s front-end by NikonD3s

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Comments

  1. Bes - 8 years ago

    Don’t borrow much. The design should look more sophisticated yet minimalistic like it’s current body. I think it looks too boring in some places.

  2. MorinMoss - 8 years ago

    A redesign would be welcome. Never like the nose cone which looks odd on an otherwise beautiful car. But the X front-end still needs something, perhaps a fake grille.

  3. dhwcw - 8 years ago

    Tesla has notoriously bad design. Cars are as much tech and geek as they are design objects of desire. Musk does not seem to grasp this. Currently Tesla’s do not have a design vision, no visual identity. Instead they look generic like many no brand new Chinese cars do.

    • MorinMoss - 8 years ago

      Seriously? Come off it. Lots of people including a great many who review cars for a living loved the look of the Model S and while I do find the front of the Model X a bit odd, there’s nothing generic about it. Not to mention that’s a ridiculous statement to make about the ONLY car EVER made with FalconWing doors, which function while it’s in motion.
      Tesla has stated more than once that the subdued styling of the Model S was intentional and that will NOT be the case with the Model 3.

    • Spec - 8 years ago

      You have got to be kidding.

  4. e - 8 years ago

    When I saw the Model X front I thought it was brilliant. It didn’t have to grow on me at all. I felt it was a proper evolution of the concept car.

  5. rolf - 8 years ago

    I love the new front on the MX and would upgrade our MS85D in a heart beat to the new design. I hope Tesla makes it available at a decent cost. BTW the ass of a MS is outright sexy. Only got to check her out recently following another MS for several kilometres.

  6. Chris - 8 years ago

    I think what bugs me a little about the X nose is its squareness. Everything else on the car is fluid curves that look highly aerodynamic but you put a square nose on that and it seems jarring.

  7. tina - 8 years ago

    hmmmm what does that do to the co-efficient of drag?

  8. Teslafan - 8 years ago

    Obviously the center console has already been introduced, LTE (4G) as well, and today my local dealer told me about a new slightly changed wind screen (bent a little bit more to have even more efficiency/lower drag factor). I hope for a bit more of “family friendly package” as MS is always told to be a “family sedan” – which it obiously isn’t, as it has very little storage space for the kids.
    So I’d expect the cup holders for 2nd row seats to be in as well and hopefully the door pokets. For the nose I don’t really care, as I don’t give so much on the look, but more on how useful it is in daily usage.
    Anyway, what I know, there will be a price raise in my country on 1st of April (and I don’t think this is a fools day joke), and I should stay tune for a surprise around end of April

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